BREAKING: Republican's Bill Attacks LGBTs, Women

'Conscience Objection' Bill Rushing Through Legislature

By Jan Stevenson

Encourage Gov. Snyder to veto this heinous bill if and when it makes it to his desk: 517-373-3400

517-335-7858

517-335-6863 Fax

www.michigan.gov then click on Governor to email

Updated 9:10 a.m. Dec. 13, 2012.

LANSING - The Republicans in the Michigan legislature have passed a bill on Dec. 12 that would allow hospitals, nursing homes or any other health care center to deny services that run contrary to the religious teachings or conscious of its leaders. This so-called conscience objection bill could open the doors for healthcare providers, insurance companies and employers to disallow healthcare services to anyone they find objectionable, such as LGBT people and women seeking family planning services including birth control and abortions.

Senate Bill 975, approved Dec. 6, was introduced by Sen. John Moolenaar (R-Midland) and co-sponsored by 22 other Republicans - almost the entire Republican caucus.

"My bill will help protect the deeply held religious beliefs of Michigan families," Moolenaar said in a written statement.

On Dec. 13 the House Insurance Committee voted along strict party lines to move the bill out of committee to the full House. It was passed that same afternoon.

This is the latest incarnation of the "conscience objection" bill that's been floating around the legislature for 12 years. This is the first time a version of the bill has passed both chambers.

Opponents laid out numerous hypothetical situations under which this bill could stand in the way of a woman or an LGBT individual getting potentially life-saving treatment.

Rep. Marcia HOVEY-WRIGHT (D-Muskegon) noted that her city has only one hospital, a Catholic hospital, and that if a life-saving abortion is needed to save the life of a woman, it might not happen in time. The bill does require a hospital to transport a patient to a different facility if they decline to cover a procedure.

Sara Wurfel, spokesperson for Gov. Rick Snyder, said of the bill, "We haven't taken an official position, but have expressed a number of concerns with the bill and are taking a closer look at."

Gov. Rick Snyder has yet to indicate whether or not he will sign the bill.

Call To Action

Encourage Gov. Snyder to veto this heinous bill if and when it makes it to his desk: 517-373-3400